U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison swings a towel in support of the Texas Rangers before Game 2 of baseball's American League division series playoffs against the Tampa Bay Rays, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, in Arlington, Texas. less

U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison swings a towel in support of the Texas Rangers before Game 2 of baseball's American League division series playoffs against the Tampa Bay Rays, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, in ... more

Photo: LM Otero / The Associated Press

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Atlantis shuttle crew member commander Chris Ferguson hands Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Houston Mayor Annise Parker a banner that was flown on space shuttle Atlantis during a homecoming event where hundreds turned out to greet the astronauts at Ellington Field Friday, July 22, 2011. less

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison joined thousands of trail riders and committee members in the 2011 Livestock Show and Rodeo Parade downtown Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011, in Houston.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison joined thousands of trail riders and committee members in the 2011 Livestock Show and Rodeo Parade downtown Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011, in Houston.

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

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Jarvis Young of Dallas listens to republican gubernatorial candidate Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison giver her concession speech during a primary election night watching party held at Eddie Deen's Ranch, Wednesday, March 2, 2010. less

Jarvis Young of Dallas listens to republican gubernatorial candidate Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison giver her concession speech during a primary election night watching party held at Eddie Deen's Ranch, ... more

Photo: Tom Fox / The Dallas Morning News

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Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison gives a concession speech, ending her run for governor of Texas, at Eddie Deen's Ranch near downtown Dallas, March 2, 2010.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison gives a concession speech, ending her run for governor of Texas, at Eddie Deen's Ranch near downtown Dallas, March 2, 2010.

Photo: Matt Nager / The New York Times

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Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison smiles as she acknowledges support from her husband Ray and others following her speech conceding from the Republican nomination for Texas governor in Dallas on Tuesday, March 2, 2010.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison smiles as she acknowledges support from her husband Ray and others following her speech conceding from the Republican nomination for Texas governor in Dallas on Tuesday, March 2, 2010.

Photo: Tony Gutierrez / The Associated Press

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Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, a gubernatorial candidate in Texas, greets well wishers during a campaign stop in Tyler, Texas on Monday, March 1, 2010.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, a gubernatorial candidate in Texas, greets well wishers during a campaign stop in Tyler, Texas on Monday, March 1, 2010.

Photo: Jaime R. Carrero / The Associated Press

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Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison meets with supporters during The Harris County Republican Party's annual Lincoln-Reagan Day Dinner, Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at the JW Marriott in Houston, Texas.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison meets with supporters during The Harris County Republican Party's annual Lincoln-Reagan Day Dinner, Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at the JW Marriott in Houston, Texas.

Photo: Billy Smith II / Chronicle

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Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison sits next to James Baker III during a Greater Houston Pachyderm Club meeting, where Baker announced his endorsement for Senator Hutchinson as she makes her bid for the the position of Texas Governor Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010, in Houston. less

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison sits next to James Baker III during a Greater Houston Pachyderm Club meeting, where Baker announced his endorsement for Senator Hutchinson as she makes her bid for the the position of ... more

Photo: Michael Paulsen / Houston Chronicle

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Texas Gov. Rick Perry and U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison smile after greeting each other at the Murchison Performing Arts Center at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry and U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison smile after greeting each other at the Murchison Performing Arts Center at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010.

Photo: LM Otero / The Associated Press

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Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison speaks during a Senate Banking Committee vote on the nomination of Ben S. Bernanke for a second term as chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009. less

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison speaks during a Senate Banking Committee vote on the nomination of Ben S. Bernanke for a second term as chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Dec. ... more

Photo: Brendan Hoffman / Bloomberg

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Former Vice President Dick Cheney and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison wave to the crowd before Cheney announced his support for Hutchison during a campaign stop in Houston, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison wave to the crowd before Cheney announced his support for Hutchison during a campaign stop in Houston, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009.

Kay Bailey Hutchison made a stop during a tour around Galveston Island to learn about the damage Hurricane Ike left behind prior to a hearing on Friday, Sept. 25, 2009, in Houston.

Kay Bailey Hutchison made a stop during a tour around Galveston Island to learn about the damage Hurricane Ike left behind prior to a hearing on Friday, Sept. 25, 2009, in Houston.

Photo: Julio Cortez / Houston Chronicle

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Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison tours The Hurt Company, Inc., 3310 Alice Street, with Jay Hurt, president and CEO of the third generation small business Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009, in Houston.

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison tours The Hurt Company, Inc., 3310 Alice Street, with Jay Hurt, president and CEO of the third generation small business Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009, in Houston.

Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle

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Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson greets supporters just after she formally announced her plans to run for Governor of Texas, Monday, Monday, Aug. 17, 2009, at the Bellaire Civic Center in Houston.

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson greets supporters just after she formally announced her plans to run for Governor of Texas, Monday, Monday, Aug. 17, 2009, at the Bellaire Civic Center in Houston.

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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"Keep on doing good work," Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison said to nurses Frances Dib and Joaquina Simmons as she talked to a group of employees at Ben Taub General Hospital after a press conference on health care reform Monday, July 27, 2009, in Houston. less

"Keep on doing good work," Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison said to nurses Frances Dib and Joaquina Simmons as she talked to a group of employees at Ben Taub General Hospital after a press conference on health care ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

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Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, helped METRO celebrate the ground breaking on north and southeast light-rail corridors at Union Station in Minute Maid Park Monday, July 13, 2009, in Houston.

Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, helped METRO celebrate the ground breaking on north and southeast light-rail corridors at Union Station in Minute Maid Park Monday, July 13, 2009, in Houston.

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

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Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison whispers to Bill White, mayor of Houston, while testifying on Capitol Hill about the Gulf Coast's recovery from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike on September 23, 2008 in Washington, D.C.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison whispers to Bill White, mayor of Houston, while testifying on Capitol Hill about the Gulf Coast's recovery from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike on September 23, 2008 in Washington, D.C.

Photo: Brendan Hoffman / Getty Images

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Texas Gov. Rick Perry talks to Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson as they wait to greet President Bush at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Austin, Texas on Sept. 1, 2008

Texas Gov. Rick Perry talks to Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson as they wait to greet President Bush at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Austin, Texas on Sept. 1, 2008

Dorothy Rogers, of Waxahachie, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, Beverly Parks, of Granbury, and Dorothy Wiseman, of Hillsboro, chat with their matching outfits during the Republican Convention, at Madison Square Garden, in New York City, Tuesday, August 31, 2004. less

Dorothy Rogers, of Waxahachie, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, Beverly Parks, of Granbury, and Dorothy Wiseman, of Hillsboro, chat with their matching outfits during the Republican Convention, at Madison Square ... more

President Bush stands on stage with Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison R-Texas during the introductions before he addresses the National Republican Senatorial Committee dinner at the National Building Museum Wednesday Sept., 25, 2002 in Washington, D.C. less

President Bush stands on stage with Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison R-Texas during the introductions before he addresses the National Republican Senatorial Committee dinner at the National Building Museum Wednesday ... more

Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais / The Associated Press

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Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison introduces legislation along with Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., to establish a national AMBER Alert program, a child abduction communications warning network, during a news conference in the Capitol, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2002, in Washington. less

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison introduces legislation along with Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., to establish a national AMBER Alert program, a child abduction communications warning network, during a news ... more

Photo: Ken Lambert / The Associated Press

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Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., leans over to talk with Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison during a hearing between House and Senate members about an aviation security bill Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2001, at the Capitol in Washington. less

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., leans over to talk with Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison during a hearing between House and Senate members about an aviation security bill Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2001, at the Capitol in ... more

Photo: Joe Marquette / The Associated Press

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Brenda Nelson from the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center works to draw the blood of US Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison on Aug. 10, 2001.

Brenda Nelson from the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center works to draw the blood of US Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison on Aug. 10, 2001.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Major Gen. Robert L. Halverson of Austin, Texas, commander of U.S. troops in northern Bosnia clap during an Easter Sunrise Service at U.S. Base Eagle, near Tuzla, Bosnia, Sunday, April 23, 2000. less

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Major Gen. Robert L. Halverson of Austin, Texas, commander of U.S. troops in northern Bosnia clap during an Easter Sunrise Service at U.S. Base Eagle, near Tuzla, Bosnia, Sunday, ... more

New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani is greeted by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison as he walks to a restaurant on Capitol Hill Thursday, June 17, 1999.

New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani is greeted by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison as he walks to a restaurant on Capitol Hill Thursday, June 17, 1999.

Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais / The Associated Press

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Texas Gov. George W. Bush speaks during a news conference on Friday, May 21, 1999, in Austin, Texas. At left is U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.

Texas Gov. George W. Bush speaks during a news conference on Friday, May 21, 1999, in Austin, Texas. At left is U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.

Photo: Harry Cabluck / The Associated Press

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Former first lady Barbara Bush hugs Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison before the start of the Republican Women Leaders Forum dinner at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center in Washington, Tuesday, May 11, 1999.

Former first lady Barbara Bush hugs Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison before the start of the Republican Women Leaders Forum dinner at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center in Washington, Tuesday, May 11, 1999.

Photo: Doug Mills / The Associated Press

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Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison rides a horse named Elvis in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Parade on Feb. 13, 1999.

Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison rides a horse named Elvis in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Parade on Feb. 13, 1999.

Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating the announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas on this date in 1865, may be going national.

Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, a Dallas Republican, and Michigan Democratic Sen. Carl Levin have co-authored a bipartisan proposal to designate June 19th as a National Day of Observance.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison recently introduced a resolution to name Juneteenth a national day of observance. (Screenshot)

“By observing this day our nation will honor the role that Juneteenth has played in African-American culture in Texas and throughout the country,” Hutchison said. “I believe that marking Juneteenth Independence Day will honor freedom and liberty; something Americans of all races, creeds, and ethnic backgrounds can celebrate.”

Texas Sen. John Cornyn, a San Antonio Republican who is a co-sponsor of the resolution, celebrated the 147th anniversary of Juneteenth today.

“I hope all Texans will join me in celebrating Juneteenth, commemorating the emancipation of slaves in the United States and an observance that originated here in Texas,” Cornyn said in a statement issued today. “Juneteenth is a fitting day for each of us to celebrate the freedoms all Americans hold dear and pay tribute to the men and women who have fought and sacrificed for justice and liberty since our nation’s founding.”

Juneteenth marks the date when slavery ended in Texas — two months after the Civil War ended and nearly three years of the state resisting the Emancipation Proclamation. Also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, Juneteenth is celebrated across the country as the symbolic anniversary of the final freeing of all American slaves.

Despite its Texas-centric origins, Juneteenth has significance and resonance with people all across the country. As of last year, 42 states and the District of Columbia have recognized Juneteenth as either a state holiday or state holiday observance.

“Today, we remember the momentous step forward that America took on June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas to enforce President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation and inform the last of our nation’s slaves that they were freed,” said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Florida Democrat who heads the Democratic National Committee.

“As we commemorate that historic day and honor the American traditions of freedom and equality for all, it’s important that we also recognize the incredible sacrifices made by African Americans and so many others that brought our country to this crucial turning point – generations who were sold or born into slavery, courageous Americans who advocated tirelessly for emancipation, and all of those who fought bravely and lost their lives for freedom over the course of the Civil War.”